I have been reading of late a number of statements by people who describe themselves as "atheists". Of interest to me is that many of them believe in the Gospel. That is, they live into the “Kingdom of God.”
Few say, “I am an atheist. I believe that people should be treated on the basis of power. I believe people who have a lot of money have no moral obligation to care for those who struggle due to a lack of money, a lack of opportunity, or a lack of privilege.”
Jesus was not as self-referential as much as Evangelicals claim. He did not walk around saying, “Worship me!” He pointed to others and said, “Love them.”
He did say, “Follow me.” But by this he did not mean, “Fawn over me.” Paul did
say, “Every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” But by this he did not mean grovel before the thought of Jesus.
This is language that encourages people to follow Jesus in loving others and kneel before the principle of love of others as Jesus loved others — in an attitude of self-emptying love.
When someone says, “I am an atheist and I believe in loving others as myself,” I say, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.”